Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2021 8:00AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.

Jonas Hoke,

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Watch for pockets of fresh windslab today.

Expect the hazard to ramp up quickly on Tuesday with the incoming storm.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A weakening warm front gives flurries today.  An organized system Tuesday brings snowfall and rising freeing levels (Fzl).

Today: Flurries (5cm). Alpine High -5 C. Ridge wind moderate SW. Fzl 1300m.

Tonight: Flurries (4cm). Low -6 C.

Tuesday: Snow (16cm). High -3 C. Mod SW wind. Fzl 1400m.

Wednesday: Snow (24cm). Strong West wind. Fzl 1600m.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is covering a thin crust from sun and/or rime in exposed terrain, as well as surface hoar up to 10mm in the shaded areas at treeline and below. The Dec 26 surface hoar has been hard to locate down 70cm. The Dec 7th surface hoar/suncrust/facet layer is down 1.5m. Crusts (with some facetting) persist at the base of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported or observed.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Small pockets of windslab linger in isolated lee features.  These will increase in size quickly with the incoming storm.

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Snowfall, wind and warm temps will build storm slabs on Tuesday.

  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
  • Use safe ski cutting techniques to enter your line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2021 8:00AM